Ex-MRC boss says youth who surrendered aren't members

MRC members carrying high their secession banner. Photo/ Norbert Allan

Saturday, April 6, 2013 - 00:00 -- CHARLES MGHENYI
FORMER Mombasa republican council official Amani Chifwete has denied the 17 members who surrendered to the authorities on Wednesday were genuine members.
Chifwete former MRC chairman in Vikwatani said he did not notice any of the members who presented themselves to the government in Ukunda DO's office.Speaking to the Star, Chifwete said he tried to identify the youths but he did not know any of them and suspects that someone was behind the move.
“I tried to identify the youths but I could not recognize any of them. I called some of the officials who are still in MRC but they also confirmed those were not their members,” he said on phone.
However, he supports MRC members giving in to the government but said the real members who are well known should be the ones to be seen on the television making the move.
“Those might be fake members, I have been an official and I know most of them, I do not support secession but let the government engage real members and officials and not imposters,” he added.
He said the calls by the MRC to secede are unachievable and they should join hands with the new county government to push up for their grievances to be addressed.
“Let the officials and MRC members drop their secession calls and push for land and resources allocation through the new devolved government,” he urged.Chifwete who was once an MRC chair in vikwatani and a vocalist for the secession group said separation is unattainable at this time and they should use the county governance to fight for their rights.
He added that the only way for the separatist group to find solution to their long time historical injustice was to cooperate with the authorities.He argued, “Western African countries have united under Ecowas, east Africa under EAC, Kenya can not afford to disintegrate while other countries are forming single regional blocks.”
http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-115563/ex-mrc-boss-says-youth-who-surrendered-arent-members